Anne’s Story

December 14, 2005 - the day that changed my life. I was trapped in a life that I wanted to end, and nobody around me knew how to help. I was taken to the Lighthouse by my husband (and a former graduate of the Men’s Faith Home), and dropped off an hour before church…and that was the beginning of a new journey.

I was not what one would consider as “needing” to be at the Lighthouse; I was married, came from a wonderful family, had 2 beautiful children…but I carried scars and secrets that had haunted me since childhood, and the older I became, the harder it became to hide. I continually made bad decisions; I desperately needed my life to seem perfect, and the harder I tried to become perfect, the more things collapsed around me. After more bad decisions, trying to end things, and the possibility of ending up in prison, it was decided for me that the Lighthouse was where I needed to be.

I stayed the entire 18 months, and learned how to cope with the hurts, scars, and imperfections; I became a wife and mother to my family.

Now, let’s fast-forward 15 years. Has life been without complications and hurts? Absolutely not! But because I had the tools from the Lighthouse, I was able to face them; to not run, to not make bad decisions, but actually deal with them like an adult and not a scared little girl.

Not too long ago, I was speaking with my 21-year-old daughter, who was 5 when her mommy went away. I was apologizing for leaving her, and making life so difficult for her. Her response was, “Mom, if you hadn’t gone, you wouldn’t be here to be my mom now. We would have lost you, and you have done everything for us kids through all the hardships. I am so proud of what you have become.”

God never does anything by accident, and I know that He had the Lighthouse waiting for me and my children. I am forever grateful.